What is it like going into Freshman year during a pandemic?

This year, considering the circumstances, has been very hard for most people around the world. This year is definitely not how students imagined going into their first year of high school. When you think of going into high school you probably don't think about wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart. 

Freshman students have had to start the school year in a new environment with a series of guidelines, unlike any other school year. Students must wear masks, stay 6 feet apart, and have different cohorts. Many freshmen have different opinions on how they feel about it. Some freshmen feel as though during the pandemic it is easier to adjust to the school and others feel like it has been harder to adjust. 

Freshman Lauren Galvin says, “ Most of my friends aren't in my cohort so it has been a little hard but overall I feel like it was easier [to adjust] because I only have to go in for two days.”  

On the other hand, freshman Madison Ditullio says, “it had definitely been harder to go into freshman year during a pandemic because I haven't gotten to talk to my teachers as much and if my friends aren't in my cohort I don't get to see them at school at all.” 

Going into freshman year is always nerve-racking but this year has been completely different. Another freshman, Jessica Zammito states, “I was nervous and excited to come into the high school. I was nervous because it is a new school with new and older people but I was also excited because it's a change to what I am used to and can be fun even though we are in the middle of a pandemic.” 

The freshman class came into NHS without a tour or having ever been in the school. Galvin says, “I was coming into NHS from Saint Catherine’s so it was all new people which made me nervous.” 

At school, there have been a lot fewer people in the halls and in classes which people either like or don't like. 

Amy Delaria says, “I would be a lot more nervous if there wasn't a pandemic going on because we would be here longer and there would be more people here. It has been a lot easier to adjust because there are less people and I can get used to the school without everyone being here.” 

Another Freshman, Sophie Krusz, disagrees with Delaria. She said, “ I would be less nervous if it was a normal school year because all my friends would be here and I would meet a lot of new people.” 

Delaria says “I really like high school and I'm super excited for when the pandemic is finally over and I can come back.”